What many gamers are unaware of is that gaming PCs are statistically just as vulnerable to malware and phishing assaults as any other device. Indeed, threat actors and fraudsters have been reported to particularly target gamers.
Investing in antivirus for PC gaming may be the prudent course of action when confronted with malware, phishing, and doxing threats. Antivirus software, on the other hand, has a negative effect on CPU performance, impairing gaming performance. Due to this, you might wonder, ‘what is the best antivirus for gaming PC?’.
Selecting an antivirus that is both performance-enhancing and effective at avoiding malware infestations may not be as simple as it seems. However, do not fear, as we are here to assist you to select the best antivirus for PC gaming that is appropriate for you.
What Should You Check for When Selecting the Best Antivirus Software for Gaming PC?
Choosing the best antivirus for PC gaming is not always easy if you are unfamiliar with the criteria. Thus, the following are some characteristics of an ideal gaming antivirus:
Game Booster: While antivirus software is vital for your protection and that of your device, it may also have a detrimental effect on your gaming experience. In this scenario, you should get an antivirus programme that has a gaming mode. This function optimizes CPU and GPU performance when gaming, allowing the antivirus to operate in the background without interfering with the game.
Scanners That are Cloud-Based: If the entire antivirus for PC gaming is cloud-based, it implies that it will not consume your CPU power for scans and other antivirus-related tasks, freeing up processing units for the greatest gaming experience possible.
Cleaning of the Device: Clearing the cache and other unnecessary files improves the overall speed of the device. It’s worth contemplating an antivirus that performs this automatically.
Detection of In-game Dangers: Malicious programmes, data, and links have been transmitted across multiple multiplayer servers using in-game malware. It’s always helpful to have an antivirus that can identify and notify you of malicious data before it reaches your device.
Additional Characteristics: Any extra services, such as VPNs, cloud storage for your files, or a password manager, just enhance your antivirus experience.
Price: Antivirus suites are notoriously pricey, so opt for a solution that won’t break the bank.
Do I Need Antivirus for My Gaming PC?
If you are still unsure if you need a PC gaming browser, consider the following:
Anti-Malware Protection for Your Device: There is such a thing as in-game malware spreading, and it has occurred in the past. Although malware is more prevalent in games obtained for free or from unauthorized sources, this does not imply it cannot be found in ‘safe’ games. Using a reputable antivirus programme that is capable of detecting harmful code or files will assist you in remaining secure while playing on multiplayer servers, as well as while downloading and purchasing add-ons or the games themselves.
Avoid Scams and Phishing Fraudsters sometimes lure gamers with promises of ‘cheap’ tools, or in-game currency, as well as ‘selling’ articles worth a few cents per dollar. However, the majority of the top antivirus programmes include browser extensions that check for phishing and dangerous websites and block suspicious links before they can be clicked.
Privacy Protection: Numerous of the top antivirus programmes include privacy-enhancing tools such as VPNs and password managers. These tools enable you to mask your IP address and avoid DDoS assaults, as well as establish strong passwords and safeguard your gaming platform accounts against theft and exploitation.
Top-Rated Antivirus for PC Gaming
Total Security by Bitdefender
Autopilot mode safeguards without being obtrusive.
Sophisticated anti-malware defense.
Anti-ransomware protection is a worthwhile investment.
System load is very high
While there are several capable antivirus apps available, the best antivirus for gaming PC should work without impairing your performance or being excessively invasive in your daily use. What makes Bitdefender so effective is that it automatically enters Autopilot mode upon installation. Autopilot takes all security-related choices on your behalf based on your usage habits, ensuring that you are not inundated with alerts and messages. However, do not be alarmed; you retain much power if you choose it.
One of the favourite features of Bitdefender is its ability to check for and report on any active vulnerabilities, whether they are caused by out-of-date software, missing Windows Updates, or even weak passwords. If you have a child who uses your PC, it comes with its own VPN and enhanced parental controls. You will rarely see antivirus software go to such lengths as Bitdefender.
McAfee Gamer Security
Game Boost is a really effective program.
Optimizes gaming automatically. Expenses are higher than those associated with standard protection.
McAfee Gamer Security is an easy-to-use best antivirus software for gaming PC that excels in CPU optimization. This antivirus for PC gaming uses a cloud-based scanning engine — which has a little impact on system speed — and it performs admirably, detecting 100% of the malware files you will place on your gaming PC. Additionally, McAfee adds a performance booster similar to BullGuard’s game booster.
McAfee Gamer Security includes a performance monitoring tool, a highly charged version of Windows Task Manager – it provides real-time information about frame rate, CPU and GPU usage, RAM usage, and internet power. McAfee also logs this information so you may study how various circumstances affect your PC’s performance over time.
Avira Free Antivirus for PC Gaming
This service is completely free.
A firewall that can be customized.
The most advantageous features are exclusive to subscribers.
Avira antivirus, which is one of the most well-known antivirus software, is also a good choice for gamers. It has received several accolades for its superior detection and protection rates against malware.
Avira Antivirus Pro suite has a playback mode that disables background scanning and saves messages and updates in the archive. Meanwhile, Avira Prime includes a Game Booster for machines with multiple core CPUs. The latter works by integrating background applications into a single CPU context, freeing up the remaining cores for optimal gaming.
Additionally, Avira’s scanning methods are cloud-based, which means that the whole scanning of suspicious files is performed on the cloud, freeing up memory and CPU resources on your device. This results in a more responsive system in general, not just while gaming.
Avira antivirus for PC gaming also offers a Phantom VPN for online anonymity and a password manager to keep track of all your passwords.
This antivirus for PC gaming also comes in a reasonably priced free edition. It includes the VPN and password manager, making it the only supplier that does not charge extra for these functions.
Norton 360 Antivirus for PC Gaming
A distinct gaming product.
A comprehensive suite of features.
Options for performance tuning. No scanning in the cloud.
Considerably costly.
Norton is an antivirus program that is nearly perfect for PC gamers. Indeed, it offers a dedicated gaming product.
Norton 360 for Gamers is a free add-on to the Norton 360 Deluxe security suite. This antivirus boasts features like Game Optimizer, which recognizes when you’re gaming and feeds your game the most amount of CPU power possible, while simultaneously muting or shutting off other apps. This results in more fluid images and a more enjoyable gaming experience overall, all while being secure.
Additionally, Norton’s real-time security guards against criminal attempts to steal sensitive information from chat rooms and system detectors or other threats to games and launchers. It provides a VPN for combating DDoS and doxing attacks, as well as a password manager in case you need to safeguard your logins to gaming platforms and launchers, for gamers and non-gamers alike.
Regrettably, Norton for Gamers lacks a cloud-based scanning option, which means that it will use significant amounts of memory and CPU resources on your PC. Additionally, it may be rather costly, and none of its products are available in a free edition.
Antivirus for PC Gaming: Conclusion
All the antiviruses listed in this article have minimal system effects and come with additional game-focused features. These tools detect when the game is full screen and prioritize resources and alerts accordingly. We would suggest you use the free trial and download security software to turn it on before buying.
FAQs
Is Windows Defender a sufficient anti-gaming solution?
In most cases, you can get away with simply running Windows Defender, but this needs a healthy dose of common sense. Bear in mind that you should only download games from reputable sources and should avoid clicking on random links. If you’re still unsure, it’s worth investing a small amount in an antivirus solution to ensure your safety.
Is it necessary to have my antivirus software running while I am gaming?
While gaming, it is recommended that you have your antivirus turned on. You may believe that having antivirus running in the background will interfere with your games by sending alerts and consuming CPU resources, however, the majority of the top antiviruses provide gaming settings that optimize the gaming experience while antivirus is operating.
